Scott Beale Aviation Blogs

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Saturday, August 4, 2018

An ISR operator plays a crucial role in both the planning and execution of a country’s air force missions. They oversee the collecting and collating of information on the enemy’s activity, movements, and strength.

ISR operators deliver this confidential and top-secret intelligence to the higher-ups in the command using various classified equipment and intel-gathering techniques. They are veritable specialists that require rigorous training to ensure that the air force is always ahead of the enemies’ own intel and that future missions are guaranteed success.

For one to be qualified to apply for an ISR operation position, they must have graduated from high school and attained at least 15 college credits in the GED. The applicant must likewise display extensive knowledge of aircraft equipment and procedures. They should be eligible for deployment and mobilization anywhere in the world and must complete various tests including a polygraph and Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).

The ISR operator candidate should be between the ages of 17 and 39 and must be at least 64 inches (5’3”) in height and no taller than 77 inches or 6-foot-4. Also, they must have no history of any temporomandibular joint pain or disorder. When the applicant is deemed qualified, he or she must complete 7.5 weeks of both basic military training and Airmen’s Week.

Aviation and aerospace professional Scott Beale was responsible for expanding FlightWorks from a $1.5 million-dollar business when he purchased it in 2000 to a $90 million enterprise when he sold the business in 2010. For more info on Scott’s work and career, visit this page.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

There is a slew of weather apps currently available to the public via smartphones, laptops, and PCs. These are incredibly helpful in knowing what to wear and what to bring when stepping out. But where these apps really shine is in the aviation industry.

Weather apps help airport tower personnel and pilots determine visibility, chances of turbulence, thunderstorms, etc. It is imperative that pilots have some of these installed and check them regularly before the flight. Below are three of the best ones out there, both those free to use and those that come with a price.

MyRadar: This is free and easy to use app that features a high-quality looping radar bundled with an AIRMETS and TFR overlay. Of course, the data the app provides is taken from National Weather Service.

CloudTopper: Though strictly not a weather app, CloudTopper is incredibly helpful to IFR and VFR pilots for estimating distance to cloud formations and the feet needed to go over them. You can use your iPhone’s camera with the clouds, and the app will tell you their exact level. This app costs a measly $0.99.

METARs Aviation Weather: Never mind the $6.99 price; this is a fast and efficient app for checking weather conditions as well as tracking airports via color-coded icons. The app has tons of features, including customizable notifications for VFR/MVFR/IFR/LIFR. It likewise translates aviation jargons to layman’s English for easier comprehension.

Scott Beale has been working in the aviation industry for more than 20 years, successfully growing businesses that he acquired and founded. He has led various aviation firms to attain growth in revenues. More on Scott’s work here.

Sunday, June 3, 2018

America is the most powerful country in terms of military strength. And when it comes to defense aviation, the U.S. is king when it comes to air-to-air or air-to-ground combat. Here are a few of America’s best fighter aircraft today.

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is currently the best fighter jet in production in the entire world. It’s a single-seat jet with twin engines and is 5th generation supersonic supermaneuverable craft designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. It is the product of two of the most reputable defense contractors in the U.S., namely Lockheed Martin and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. One of the aircraft’s biggest strength is its stealth capability as it remains undetectable in most radars.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is similar to the F-22 but has a smaller build. With just a single engine, it is designed for ground attacks, reconnaissance, and air defense missions. It also has excellent stealth capabilities. The F-35 has three variants that differ in how they take-off and land. The F-35A has standard take-off and landing procedures, the F-35B has a short take-off and can land vertically, and the F-35C is carrier-based.

Lastly, the F-15 Strike Eagle is a classic yet powerful jet in America’s arsenal. Developed in the ‘80s, this was an all-weather multi-role fighter and was deployed in military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.

Monday, May 14, 2018

Many things in the world are hard to explain. How a metal aircraft weighing over 500 tons can fly in the air is one of them. It may seem outlandish for some people, but don’t worry. The physics are solid, and the explanation is quite simple.

The most crucial part of getting a plane off the runway is getting molecules to push the undersides of the plane up than the upper sides. When the undersides of a wing crash more violently with molecules, it generates lift.

If an airplane is parked on the ground, the molecules around its wings bounce off with the same force above and below the wing. But as the plane takes off, the wings’ curvature and its angle create more friction between molecules and the underside of the wing and less for the upper side of the wing. This increases the upward force on the bottom side of the wing which generates lift.

That covers how planes get off the runway. But how do they stay in the air? Airplanes can easily do this because there is no net force on them. Newton’s law states that a body at rest stays at rest and a body in motion remains in motion. Even if a plane is flying 15,000 kilometers above the earth, the laws of physics are still followed.

Skilled in commercial sales and aviation products marketing, government contracting, and startups, Scott Beale has piloted successful business turnarounds in the aviation industry for more than 20 years. For more on Scott and his professional endeavors, click here.

Sunday, April 8, 2018

An airline pilot makes a lot of sacrifices. He/she works long hours and is away most of the time. So why is the job so attractive? Why is being a pilot one of the most sought-after jobs in the world? Below are some of the reasons.

The view: Obviously, pilots have a front row seat to the best views the planet has to offer. They also get to see so many splendid places – more than most people see in their lifetime. From majestic mountain ranges to pristine oceans, pilots see them all.

The benefits: As mentioned above, pilots get to see many magical places. This is, of course, the main benefit of being a pilot. They also get ridiculous discounts on tickets for their families, and sometimes, even their friends.
The hours: A traditional 9-to-5 schedule can get boring for the adventurous spirit. This makes the hours of aviation quite appealing. Changes in schedule can happen anytime for countless reasons. It can be taxing on the body, but it never gets boring. Each flight brings a new experience.
The rewards: Pilots are paid a lot more than most regular employees. Combine that with the pleasure of meeting new people and going to places people only dream of, and it’s easy to see why so many travelers find pilots very lucky.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

History books are filled with remarkable men and woman who changed aviation forever and the course of its history with their deeds, achievements, and innovation. Of the numerous unforgettable names in this field, here are some who are worth remembering and honoring today.

The Wright BrothersOrville and Wilbur were American brothers and aviation pioneers who created the first successful airplane in the world. Theirs was the first powered, sustained, and controlled plane flight in 1903, and even surpassed their own achievement two years later by flying the first completely practical airplane.
Charles LindberghHe is the first man to cross the Atlantic Ocean on his own, navigating from New York to Paris in May 1927 in a specialized monoplane. He was also credited for shooting down a Japanese aircraft in July 1944, after the Pearl Harbor attack in World War II.
Amelia EarhartWho would forget Lady Lindy, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 19332 and also the first to fly without stop from Honolulu to Oakland in 1935? She, however, became a legend through her final flight, where she disappeared over the Pacific and was never found again.
Steve FossettHe set many world records, including five non-stop circumnavigations of Earth and being the first to complete one in a helium-filled balloon. He also made the first circumnavigation of the globe in a plane without refueling back in 2005.
Jimmy DoolittleThis innovator and speed plane racer is known for his daring raid on Tokyo in 1942, leading 16 army bombers off the rolling deck of an aircraft carrier on a one-way mission to Japan.

Scott Beale is the CEO, President, and Founder of Flightworks Inc. and Business Development Manager at Mountain Aviation. He is also an accomplished commercial pilot type rated in the Gulfstream and Citation aircraft. Read more about aviation on this site.

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Over the decades, airplanes have gotten more sophisticated. Today, commercial airlines have countless giant machines roaring through the sky, bringing hundreds of millions of people to their destinations of choice.

Below are some of the most popular, best-selling commercial jets in the market today.

Airbus A380: The Airbus A380 is the largest commercial airliner in the market today. It’s been over 12 years since its first flight, but it has also been the favorite of commercial airlines due to its cost and the returns on investment

Airbus A320: The Airbus A320 jets are smaller than their A380 cousin, but they’re the most used jets for commercial domestic flights

Boeing 707: The Boeing 707 is the first machine of the industry giant to be flown commercially. Though manufacturing of the aircraft stopped at the end of the ‘70s, it’s still popular among airlines today.

Boeing 727: For shorter flights and smaller airports, airlines make good use of the Boeing 727. This model is used in a huge number of domestic flights.

Boeing 787: The Boeing 787, otherwise known as the Dreamliner, is the most fuel-efficient and least noisy of all the Boeing commercial jets. It also has energy-saving features that industry experts have praised. Many international flights use this model.

Boeing 747: Probably the most beloved of all commercial jets, the Boeing 747, also known as the Jumbo Jet has been a favorite of passengers and airlines for decades.

Scott Beale is an accomplished aviation professional as well as a seasoned entrepreneur and business developer. For more discussions on the aviation industry, visit this blog.

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About Me

Scott Beale is a seasoned aviation professional with over two decades of leadership experience. Scott has lead premier aviation companies through significant growth strategies, business turn around plans, strategic planning and execution. Scott is an accomplished commercial pilot type rated in the Gulfstream and Citation aircraft and has flown hundreds of hours in special mission government aircraft.